Setting

Feb 5th 1898 through Williams Township, Pennsylvania (NOTE: all characters should be aged appropriately: from [Oct 1892 or Apr 1894] to Feb 1898)

Background

The sleepy little town of Williams Township lies due South of Easton Pennsylvania, North of the Lehigh River, East of the Lehigh Hills Forest, and West of the Delaware river. The soil along the rivers is limestone, while that of the hills is gravelly and not very fertile. However, farmers have been able to take advantage of the extensive limestone deposits to fertilize their fields to a high state of cultivation. In addition, the nearby hills have been found to be an excellent source of coal. Consequently, coal mining has significantly added to the general economic growth of the township.

It’s original name was Williamstown, presumabley given by John Williams, an early prominent settler. It’s original population was primarily German, including such other prominent settlers as Melchoir Hay, Michael Shoemaker, Philip Bossart, and Martin Lehr.

The distance from Fairfield to Williams Township is 131 miles, nearly due west from Fairfield Connecticut, :

6 days travel by carriage to Easton, PA, plus night’s stay, followed by .5 days by carriage south to Williams Township

Leave in the early morning and arrive in the late afternoon

Leave in the mid afternoon and arrive in the evening

4 days travel by rail: .5 day ride by carriage to Bridgeport; plus night’s stay followed by 1.5 day train from Hartford, CT to Easton, PA; plus night’s stay, followed by .5 days by carriage soutth to Williams Township.

The Game

It has been a several years since the investigators resolved the horrific Feast of Fish mass-murders, and the troubles with the new Barnum Museum of Science and History. The investigators have since been living peaceful lives in the city of Fairfield. Annie’s and Douglas’ PI business is flourishing, as are their multiple real estate holdings, and percentage of the highly acclaimed Brien’s Fashionable Footwear and Traditional Cobblery. Angus turned the unused upper floor of “Johnny’s Police Station” into a Security Guard business. It took time and effort to get it going, but has now secured several permanent and floating contracts which are proving quite profitable. Elmer has continued his Native American studies, digging deep into the social relationships between the multiple tribes in conjunction with their individual spiritual beliefs.

Shortly after Dr. Scott’s death, Annie employed a newly arrived Russian (actually, Polish) immigrant by the name of Nikoli Zinkoff as a new investigative psychic. He proved very useful and trustworthy, and over the course of years became friends and built a strong trusted relationship with the other investigators.

One day, unannounced, Betty Snife (receptionist of Fairfield’s Walter Rythum Memorial Hospital) entered the Raven’s Head Tavern looking about frantically, searching for Annie, Douglas, or Angus. Nikoli approached her and found that Betty was attempting to deliver a letter to them. As Betty drank “medicine” at the bar, he took the letter to Douglas’ and Annie’s business. The letter was addressed to Dr. Orkliff, with the word “Urgent” written across the front. Douglas opened the letter, which read: Letter from Mary McMullin.

Williamstown

The Bank – “Baum’s Bank and Trust” engraved on a large stone plaque fixed to the wall beside the door. The building is 25′ × 45′ with exterior walls built of double-layered brick and mortar. A metal reinforced hard oak door is positioned to the left.The Bath and Rest House – Hanging from a fancy black wrote iron bracing is a beautifully carved and shellacked oak sign that depicts a young woman sitting in a claw bath tub; she has long hair, one raised knee, and is motioning with a finger as if to join her. Beneath the image is “Bath and Rest House” in fancy, curly letters. The store front is 20’ with two average curtained windows surrounding the front door. Behind the building is the extended width of the four ‘rest rooms’ and the ‘well room’, from which white smoke can be seen rising out of a chimney.The Blacksmith – “Smithy, Tack and Supplies” burnt into a large plank of wood that hangs from two large steel chains over the front door. Two average windows reveal goods on tables and hanging on walls. A hitching post and watering tub with small well pump mark the end of North Street. Across the street is the kiln building, which has an open front and all the expected smithy equipment. East of the kiln building is a small stables with room for 4 horses.The Diner – 35′ × 40′ building with a beautifully painted wooden sign hangs from fine chain attached to a fancy wrought-iron hanger. The sign is white, with pale pink trimming outlined with delicate yellow flowers and reads “Ma’s Diner”. There are two windows on either side of the door, which has been painted a pale sunflower yellow and trimmed with the same pale pink as on the sign. The windows themselves are trimmed with homey white curtains with yellow flowers that match those on the sign.The Doctor – The home is a simple 20′ × 35′ building, with a simple wooden sign nailed beside the front door, painted with 2 lines: “Doctor – John Miller”.Elizabeth’s Book Store and Faith Shoppe – Although obviously boarded up for years, the exterior appears to be well kept. The windows are all boarded shut, and the front door is locked with both the door lock and a thick iron chain with large padlocked clasp-lock. Hooks that used to hold a large wooden sign are screwed into the eve above the door. A simple wooden sign with nicely scripted black paint reads “Closed”.Elizabeth’s Home next to Dr. Miller’s – modest wooden house that sits next to The Doctor‘s home. The windows are shuttered tight. On the right side of the home is the remains of a garden plot that is still being somewhat cared for.The General Store – a hitching post and watering trough sit in front of the 25′ × 35′ building. A short porch with 3 steps leading up to the front door – a beautifully carved oak cigar Indian stands to the left of the door. A large shabby wooden sign hanging from the eve reads “Goods and Supplies” – hanging from this sign is another that reads “and Rooms”. Two 3′ × 3′ window surround the front door.(NEW 12/11/2016)Inside Hexenkopf RockThe Library – 45′ × 45′ hexagonal brick building, . Seven steps with wrought-iron railing lead up to the hexagonal shaped building. The building is made of brick, and artfully designed with half-moon decorative window above the double-doors, with slim tall windows beside them. A long rectangular window helps to light the second floor of the building. To the right of the door is a clean sign that reads on 3 lines: “1813 – Williamstown – Public Library”. A metal sheet cap protects the pointed roof, which contains a small ventilated attic space. A beautiful wrought iron weather vane tops the building.The Mail and Telegraph Office – Wooden steps lead up to the hard oak door of the 25’ wide x 30’ deep brick building. There are two small windows with shutters on each wall. A sign on the door reads on two lines: “Open Mon – Sat” “8am to 6pm.” The door is open during business hours on warm days.The Pawn Shop – The 30′ × 30′ building is made from hard oak with one single small barred window in the front and side walls. A fancy wrought iron arm holding 3 golden balls hangs over the front door. A 15’ long, 8’ tall over-wall is affixed to the roof centered over the front door. On it, the word “Pawnbroker” is painted in large bold letters on the flat wall.The Saloon – The 35′ × 65′ brick building is decorated with a 10’ tall extended brick wall with the word “Saloon” painted in fading black paint. Two sets of double-doors, four windows, and a resting bench are beneath a building-front awning of ribbed sheet metal strips. The left set of doors is locked with an external wrought iron gate. An iron fence on the left side of the building encloses a 25′ × 40′ covered courtyard area that is open during fair weather months. 3 long hitching posts and watering troughs are on the right side.The School – The 50′ × 30′ large brick-stone building has a small 10′ × 10′ entry adjoining the 40′ × 30′ classroom. A single stone step leads up to the front door. A sign to the left of the door reads: “School Hours ~ 5 to 7 years – 11am to 2 pm ~ 7 to 10 years – 10am to 3pm ~ 11+ years – 9am to 2pm”. On the other side of the road is a vacant lot that has been cleared of debris and bushes.
The Unfinished Church – Modest 45’ x 50’ wooden building in disrepair with 3 steps up to a large oak door. Tall thin bordered up windows decorate the outside. The building rises to a sharp pinnacle with a flat top: the bell-tower has not been completed.The Sheriff Office – 30′ × 30′ building with wood front containing 2 small windows and oak door. In large black paint above the door is: “Sheriff”. Attached to the North side is a 20′ × 25′ stone building with small barred windows high up on the walls. The Women’s Emporium – The building is simple plank wood, but expertly sealed with pitch that has been stained to the same color as the wood. It is raised by 2’ posts, and a 3-step stair leads up to a small landing with a brilliantly white rocking chair to the right of the door and a small planter of flowers on the left – (yes, living flowers!). Hanging from a fancy wrought iron bar on the awning is a wooden sign with a thin woman wearing a dark blue bustle-back long dress, fancy wide brimmed hat, and an umbrella over her shoulder reads: “Nellie’s Women’s Wear and Accessories”.

Raubsville

Raubsville Caves – South West of the cemetery, across a small stone bridge. Starting at roughly 200’, the mountain contains sparse White Pines that dominate the landscape. Several rocks contain pictures of musicians and dancers carved into the rock; following these will lead to the “Cave of Those Who Have Served”. The cave is overhung with vegetation and is warmer than the outside.Raubsville Cemetery – 2 miles east of Williams Township. Take South Street to Raubsville Rd and follow into Raubsville. Near the entrance to Raubsville is a road that leads south with an old wooden sign post that reads: Raubsville Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery. The road bends around the church to the back, and then after roughly 100 yards to the iron arch that marks the cemetery. The path leads through this solitary 15’ tall standing iron arch that reads “Raubsville Cemetery”. There is a simple picket fence, and within it the grounds are cleared of most brush within. Tall trees stand sparsely throughout. The cemetery is quite large, and graves are widely spread – mostly in patches by family.Raubsville General Store – A simple wooden building with small attached home in the back. One large window, and a plain front door with simple skeleton key style lock. Painted over the door reads: “General Store”.Raubsville Methodist Episcopal Church erected 1876 – 2 miles east of Williams Township. Take South Street to Raubsville Rd and follow into Raubsville. Near the entrance to Raubsville is a road that leads south with an old wooden sign post that reads: Raubsville Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery. The place is falling apart from lack of care. Windows are boarded up, and a large tarp covers a major portion of the roof.Raubsville Fire Pits – 20’ round 4’ deep and brick lined with a rim, with a large slanted tin roof to help hold in the heat.Raubsville Saloon – The exterior looks like the nearby buildings, except for a wooden sign hanging from the awning that reads: “Drinks, Food, and Beds”. There is a single 3′ × 3′ window, and steps that lead up to a modest wooden door.Simon Marshall’s House – Through the unkempt sparse forest-like wilderness between the cemetery and town. An old path to the house that leads from the north end of the cemetery near the church is now practically imperceptible. The forest trees have encroached upon the home over the last 20 years, obscuring it from view.